Obama Supporters Use Latest Debt Projections to Press for Constitutional Amendment Allowing Involuntary Servitude

Days after the independent Congressional Budget Office released its latest public debt projections, supporters of President Obama and his massive spending policies launched a campaign to repeal the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits involuntary servitude, so Americans can shoulder an even larger tax burden.

“The CBO report shows debt is now growing faster than gross domestic product,” said one campaign organizer. “That’s going to require dramatically higher taxes that will essentially make taxpayers indentured servants to the government, which is something the Thirteenth Amendment doesn’t allow.”

Each year, Americans have to devote about three-and-a-half months’ worth of earned income to pay mandatory government taxes, and they’re expected to have to pay much more than that in the future under current debt projections.

Rally participants waved signs saying “Support the Income Tax!” “Embrace the Debt!” and “It’s Not Involuntary Servitude If We Choose It!”

Supporters of the repeal said that since it usually takes about seven years to ratify a constitutional amendment, “we need to start the process right away, before the public debt taxpayers owe doubles by 2019.”

Associated articles: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/27/AR2009062701979.html; http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24660.html; http://www.american.com/archive/2009/september/making-bush-look-like-a-piker

Obama Supporters Use Latest Debt Projections to Press for Constitutional Amendment Allowing Involuntary Servitude

Days after the independent Congressional Budget Office released its latest public debt projections, supporters of President Obama and his massive spending policies launched a campaign to repeal the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits involuntary servitude, so Americans can shoulder an even larger tax burden.

“The CBO report shows debt is now growing faster than gross domestic product,” said one campaign organizer. “That’s going to require dramatically higher taxes that will essentially make taxpayers indentured servants to the government, which is something the Thirteenth Amendment doesn’t allow.”

Each year, Americans have to devote about three-and-a-half months’ worth of earned income to pay mandatory government taxes, and they’re expected to have to pay much more than that in the future under current debt projections.

Rally participants waved signs saying “Support the Income Tax!” “Embrace the Debt!” and “It’s Not Involuntary Servitude If We Choose It!”

Supporters of the repeal said that since it usually takes about seven years to ratify a constitutional amendment, “we need to start the process right away, before the public debt taxpayers owe doubles by 2019.”

Associated articles: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/27/AR2009062701979.html; http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24660.html; http://www.american.com/archive/2009/september/making-bush-look-like-a-piker

The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of...Freestyle Motocross

Last Saturday, the boys skipped town and headed to the Fort Worth Stock Yards


to watch this.

(A guy doing a handstand on his airborne motorcycle.)

Here's a pro photo of another crazy jump.

Nuts, I tell you!


The only stop in our country this year for the Red Bull X Fighters.


Too good to pass up, they said.


They didn't even have one Red Bull--they opted for the more hydrating lemonade and water in the sweltering 106 degree heat...for, what, the 14th day in a row at 100+!

The girls and I

stayed home

in the a/c

doing (watching)...


...a few of our favorite things.

Kathleen's favorite part was at the end when the nuns removed the spark plugs from the Nazis' car so the von Trapps could make their getaway. The little pranksters!

We didn't make our own clothes out of old curtains, but we did start on a rag rug for the girls' doll house.


(Fabric cannibalized from a pair of their outgrown capris.)

Then we ate sorbet and went to bed.

Democrats Force Quick Vote on "Cap and Tax" Legislation, Citing an "Escalating Skepticism Crisis” Regarding Climate Warming Theories

Washington, D.C.--Democrats in Congress and President Obama forced swift action on a massive bill to dramatically increase energy costs in the face of what they called an “escalating skepticism crisis” regarding theories that claim human emissions are making the earth warmer.

“In Europe, Japan, and Australia, there is increasing doubt that drastic cuts in energy use are warranted, as the evidence of human-caused global warming proves lacking,” said Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. “If we don’t enact draconian policies now, this window of misinformation might be closed forever.”

Proponents of the “cap and tax” legislation showed reporters a dire depiction of what could be “things to come” if misguided policies are not locked in place now: a lonely Al Gore, increasingly isolated on a twisted theory melting in the face of contrary empirical data.

As the earth’s temperature has flat-lined, even as concentrations of carbon dioxide increase, and research is contradicting what was previously claimed to be a consensus, Administration officials said “we must act now to increase energy costs based on extremely suspect environmental theories before those theories are completely refuted.”

Associated articles: London Times; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124597505076157449.html;
http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2009/06/15_reasons_to_oppose_climate_b.php; http://blogs.usatoday.com/sciencefair/2009/07/could-we-be-wrong-about-global-warming.html; http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZmU0NDMzZTlkM2E5MDBhY2Q4N2ViYTFkNjVmNzU5NTc=; http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZTBiMTRlMDQxNzEyMmRhZjU3ZmYzODI5MGY4ZWI5OWM

Democrats Force Quick Vote on "Cap and Tax" Legislation, Citing an "Escalating Skepticism Crisis” Regarding Climate Warming Theories

Washington, D.C.--Democrats in Congress and President Obama forced swift action on a massive bill to dramatically increase energy costs in the face of what they called an “escalating skepticism crisis” regarding theories that claim human emissions are making the earth warmer.

“In Europe, Japan, and Australia, there is increasing doubt that drastic cuts in energy use are warranted, as the evidence of human-caused global warming proves lacking,” said Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. “If we don’t enact draconian policies now, this window of misinformation might be closed forever.”

Proponents of the “cap and tax” legislation showed reporters a dire depiction of what could be “things to come” if misguided policies are not locked in place now: a lonely Al Gore, increasingly isolated on a twisted theory melting in the face of contrary empirical data.

As the earth’s temperature has flat-lined, even as concentrations of carbon dioxide increase, and research is contradicting what was previously claimed to be a consensus, Administration officials said “we must act now to increase energy costs based on extremely suspect environmental theories before those theories are completely refuted.”

Associated articles: London Times; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124597505076157449.html;
http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2009/06/15_reasons_to_oppose_climate_b.php; http://blogs.usatoday.com/sciencefair/2009/07/could-we-be-wrong-about-global-warming.html; http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZmU0NDMzZTlkM2E5MDBhY2Q4N2ViYTFkNjVmNzU5NTc=; http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZTBiMTRlMDQxNzEyMmRhZjU3ZmYzODI5MGY4ZWI5OWM

Obama Urges Congress to "Set an Example for the World to Follow" by Passing Critical Tooth Fairy Legislation

Washington, D.C.--President Obama has tried to convince the world that releasing terrorist detainees held at Guantanamo Bay doesn't pose a security threat, so other countries might accept them. He has also tried to convince the world that draconian steps should be taken to increase energy costs so emissions he claims increase "global warming" can be reduced worldwide.

But those efforts have met resistance overseas because Americans -- increasingly skeptical of their value -- generally oppose the release of Guantanamo Bay detainees into their own communities and legislation taxing domestic energy consumption.

Today, President Obama used what some called "his inherent moral authority" to prod Americans in a "new direction" by urging Congress to start "setting a better example for other countries to follow" by passing “essential tooth fairy legislation.”

"How can we expect the rest of the world to join us in pursuing bold, new, and untested policies aimed at making the world a better place if we don't do the same here at home?" asked Obama. “That's why I'm calling on Congress to set a new tone by passing legislation requiring all Americans to remove some of their own teeth and place them under their pillows so the tooth fairy can pay us a visit and boost the world economy."

One Administration official added, "If we can get other countries to trust our commitment to the tooth fairy and similar concepts, we'll have a much better chance getting them to pursue other apparently counter-factual policies."

"Americans have always been dreamers," said Obama at the conclusion of his remarks. "Congress needs to live up to that heritage and immediately pass tooth fairy legislation."

Associated articles: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/world/16gitmo.html; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR2009052803920_pf.html; http://www.royalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Article/article.jsp?articleId=7d9684e30030001&sectionId=60; http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/06/four-uighurs-settled-in-bermuda.html; http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTIxNTlkNzc5NTM3N2IzYzBlODZiNDRjMGRlYWQxYzE=

Obama Urges Congress to "Set an Example for the World to Follow" by Passing Critical Tooth Fairy Legislation

Washington, D.C.--President Obama has tried to convince the world that releasing terrorist detainees held at Guantanamo Bay doesn't pose a security threat, so other countries might accept them. He has also tried to convince the world that draconian steps should be taken to increase energy costs so emissions he claims increase "global warming" can be reduced worldwide.

But those efforts have met resistance overseas because Americans -- increasingly skeptical of their value -- generally oppose the release of Guantanamo Bay detainees into their own communities and legislation taxing domestic energy consumption.

Today, President Obama used what some called "his inherent moral authority" to prod Americans in a "new direction" by urging Congress to start "setting a better example for other countries to follow" by passing “essential tooth fairy legislation.”

"How can we expect the rest of the world to join us in pursuing bold, new, and untested policies aimed at making the world a better place if we don't do the same here at home?" asked Obama. “That's why I'm calling on Congress to set a new tone by passing legislation requiring all Americans to remove some of their own teeth and place them under their pillows so the tooth fairy can pay us a visit and boost the world economy."

One Administration official added, "If we can get other countries to trust our commitment to the tooth fairy and similar concepts, we'll have a much better chance getting them to pursue other apparently counter-factual policies."

"Americans have always been dreamers," said Obama at the conclusion of his remarks. "Congress needs to live up to that heritage and immediately pass tooth fairy legislation."

Associated articles: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/world/16gitmo.html; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR2009052803920_pf.html; http://www.royalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Article/article.jsp?articleId=7d9684e30030001&sectionId=60; http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/06/four-uighurs-settled-in-bermuda.html; http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTIxNTlkNzc5NTM3N2IzYzBlODZiNDRjMGRlYWQxYzE=

Obama Surrenders to Big Government; Signs Instrument of Surrender in Form of Bill Regulating the Cigarettes He Can't Keep Himself from Smoking

Yesterday, President Obama, a longtime and current smoker, officially surrendered to the federal government on behalf of the American people by signing federal legislation regulating cigarettes and other tobacco products. The ceremony took place aboard the deck of the U.S.S. Illinois.

During the ceremony, Obama said, "I am the perfect example of why individuals cannot be expected to use their own abilities and resources to improve their own lives. And if I can't do it, who can? We must look to government for the coercion we need to help reach the result it deems best for us."

The surrender was witnessed by cabinet officials and hundreds of other federal bureaucrats.

"Like many Americans," said Obama, "I often can't be trusted to set a good example for my kids, let alone provide all the parenting necessary to help ensure they do the right thing. This surrender is not something I wanted. But it's something we need as a nation."

Observers said Obama seemed a bit tense by the conclusion of the ceremony, at which time he reached into his suit pocket and quickly ducked behind the nearest flight control tower.

Associated articles: Fox News; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/22/AR2009062202910.html; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/17/AR2009061702802.html

Obama Surrenders to Big Government; Signs Instrument of Surrender in Form of Bill Regulating the Cigarettes He Can't Keep Himself from Smoking

Yesterday, President Obama, a longtime and current smoker, officially surrendered to the federal government on behalf of the American people by signing federal legislation regulating cigarettes and other tobacco products. The ceremony took place aboard the deck of the U.S.S. Illinois.

During the ceremony, Obama said, "I am the perfect example of why individuals cannot be expected to use their own abilities and resources to improve their own lives. And if I can't do it, who can? We must look to government for the coercion we need to help reach the result it deems best for us."

The surrender was witnessed by cabinet officials and hundreds of other federal bureaucrats.

"Like many Americans," said Obama, "I often can't be trusted to set a good example for my kids, let alone provide all the parenting necessary to help ensure they do the right thing. This surrender is not something I wanted. But it's something we need as a nation."

Observers said Obama seemed a bit tense by the conclusion of the ceremony, at which time he reached into his suit pocket and quickly ducked behind the nearest flight control tower.

Associated articles: Fox News; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/22/AR2009062202910.html; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/17/AR2009061702802.html

White House Press Corps Struggles to Maintain Objective Distance from President While Sharing His Teleprompter

Washington, D.C.--An overwhelmingly left-leaning press has always found it difficult to maintain the sort of distance from a Democratic President required for objective news coverage. But media insiders say the relationship between the media and the President is becoming “more complicated than ever” now that the White House press corps shares Obama’s teleprompter.

“When the media and the President share a common vision, it only makes sense that they share the same teleprompter feed,” said one media critic. “But we’ve seen too many instances where reporters and the President finish each other’s sentences.”

News producers admit that while being so close to the President makes it easier to make campaign donations, it does have its drawbacks.

For example, during a recent ABC News special that was broadcast from the White House and touted Obama’s health care plan, viewers watched as anchor Charlie Gibson uttered Obama’s trademark “uhm’s” and “er’s” while he and the President struggled to read from the same teleprompter screen. They eventually butted heads.

“It was an awkward moment,” said one studio technician. “It got even worse when Gibson seized the opportunity and gave the President a quick peck on the cheek.”

Media analysts acknowledged that a shared teleprompter raises some technical issues, but dismissed concerns based on journalism ethics.

“The media does its job when it reports the news accurately,” said one source. “And there’s no better way to ensure that’s done than by reading directly from the President’s teleprompter.”

Associated articles: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/31/AR2009053102079.html; http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=330306097960268; http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/Media-Bias-Is-Real-Finds-UCLA-6664.aspx; http://gawker.com/5311055/white-house-press-corps-spent-the-fourth-of-july-hanging-out-with-obama-off-the-record

White House Press Corps Struggles to Maintain Objective Distance from President While Sharing His Teleprompter

Washington, D.C.--An overwhelmingly left-leaning press has always found it difficult to maintain the sort of distance from a Democratic President required for objective news coverage. But media insiders say the relationship between the media and the President is becoming “more complicated than ever” now that the White House press corps shares Obama’s teleprompter.

“When the media and the President share a common vision, it only makes sense that they share the same teleprompter feed,” said one media critic. “But we’ve seen too many instances where reporters and the President finish each other’s sentences.”

News producers admit that while being so close to the President makes it easier to make campaign donations, it does have its drawbacks.

For example, during a recent ABC News special that was broadcast from the White House and touted Obama’s health care plan, viewers watched as anchor Charlie Gibson uttered Obama’s trademark “uhm’s” and “er’s” while he and the President struggled to read from the same teleprompter screen. They eventually butted heads.

“It was an awkward moment,” said one studio technician. “It got even worse when Gibson seized the opportunity and gave the President a quick peck on the cheek.”

Media analysts acknowledged that a shared teleprompter raises some technical issues, but dismissed concerns based on journalism ethics.

“The media does its job when it reports the news accurately,” said one source. “And there’s no better way to ensure that’s done than by reading directly from the President’s teleprompter.”

Associated articles: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/31/AR2009053102079.html; http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=330306097960268; http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/Media-Bias-Is-Real-Finds-UCLA-6664.aspx; http://gawker.com/5311055/white-house-press-corps-spent-the-fourth-of-july-hanging-out-with-obama-off-the-record

Playing & Planning

They play.






I plan.


If I mention that they ran out of gas on the lake, don't let that fool you into thinking they had any less fun!!

Obama Sends Sterner Message to Iran from His Personal Blackberry, But Experts Say His Use of Emoticons “May Cloud Message”

As millions of Iranians took to the streets to oppose a theocratic dictatorship, President Obama remained silent for several days, then spoke only tepidly in opposition to the brutal government crackdown on protesters demanding a more democratic Iran.

In an initial statement, Obama said he supported the continued “dialogue” in Iran but wished to avoid “meddling” in its affairs. Roundly criticized by all sides of the political spectrum for such timid remarks in support of liberty and democratic principles, Obama said yesterday that he sent a “sterner” message to the Iranian regime from his personal Blackberry.

But foreign policy analysts immediately expressed concern with the message’s “heavy use of emoticons” that may “muddy the import of its meaning.”

The message, reproduced in the accompanying picture, states “Dear Supreme Leader (and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad)” and begins with “Let me take this opportunity to clarify my earlier remarks.”

“A promising beginning,” remarked one foreign policy expert, “but then you see the emoticon,” referring to the characters :-} indicating “embarrassed smile.”

The next sentence of the message, “I want you to know that I support the protesters,” is followed by the emoticon *<:-) which analysts say indicates “Who do they think I am, Santa Clause?” The message continues “But I also respect your authority to maintain order,” followed by the ;-) “mischievous wink” emoticon. The penultimate sentence reads “I know that democracy can only be maintained if a country follows the rule of law,” which ends with the characters =[:-= , which one expert said “either refers to Abe Lincoln, or the medieval torture device known as the rack.” The message ends with “Please also understand that I do not mean for this email to be seen as meddling in your affairs,” and the accompanying characters 12@>-->-- which, according to experts, is the universally recognized “dozen roses” emoticon representing “abject apology.”

The email is signed “Your friend in denuclearization, Barack.”

When Iranian foreign officials were asked their reaction to the new “sterner” message, they said they had not yet seen it, and that “It probably got sent to the spam folder.”

Associated article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/18/AR2009061803495.html

Obama Sends Sterner Message to Iran from His Personal Blackberry, But Experts Say His Use of Emoticons “May Cloud Message”

As millions of Iranians took to the streets to oppose a theocratic dictatorship, President Obama remained silent for several days, then spoke only tepidly in opposition to the brutal government crackdown on protesters demanding a more democratic Iran.

In an initial statement, Obama said he supported the continued “dialogue” in Iran but wished to avoid “meddling” in its affairs. Roundly criticized by all sides of the political spectrum for such timid remarks in support of liberty and democratic principles, Obama said yesterday that he sent a “sterner” message to the Iranian regime from his personal Blackberry.

But foreign policy analysts immediately expressed concern with the message’s “heavy use of emoticons” that may “muddy the import of its meaning.”

The message, reproduced in the accompanying picture, states “Dear Supreme Leader (and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad)” and begins with “Let me take this opportunity to clarify my earlier remarks.”

“A promising beginning,” remarked one foreign policy expert, “but then you see the emoticon,” referring to the characters :-} indicating “embarrassed smile.”

The next sentence of the message, “I want you to know that I support the protesters,” is followed by the emoticon *<:-) which analysts say indicates “Who do they think I am, Santa Clause?” The message continues “But I also respect your authority to maintain order,” followed by the ;-) “mischievous wink” emoticon. The penultimate sentence reads “I know that democracy can only be maintained if a country follows the rule of law,” which ends with the characters =[:-= , which one expert said “either refers to Abe Lincoln, or the medieval torture device known as the rack.” The message ends with “Please also understand that I do not mean for this email to be seen as meddling in your affairs,” and the accompanying characters 12@>-->-- which, according to experts, is the universally recognized “dozen roses” emoticon representing “abject apology.”

The email is signed “Your friend in denuclearization, Barack.”

When Iranian foreign officials were asked their reaction to the new “sterner” message, they said they had not yet seen it, and that “It probably got sent to the spam folder.”

Associated article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/18/AR2009061803495.html

Guitarist

X-Men Mystique Face

It's very difficult to define what is ART

Beautiful Flower

Enter The Room

Fire Girl

It's My World

Two Panels Down

School planning in progress...

No, we haven't been off on some lengthy exotic trip. We've been swimming at the pool, boating on the lake, having gates fixed and air conditioners serviced, enduring hail storms...and making every effort to keep from melting. It's been 100 degrees for the past few days, and I'd just like to say,


"It's
HOTTTTTT!"


The kids started fiddle camp last week, they're ready for VBS at the end of the month, we're signed up for art classes, and I've just been doing some fun school planning now that we've finished up our year.

Can you tell what time period in history we'll be studying this year?


I've had fun going through lots of other books we'll be using this year. I can't wait for the kids to dig into these 50s edition classics.


They were given to my aunt by my grandparents. The inscription Grandma wrote.


LOVE hand me downs!

Isn't the artwork in this Hans Brinker book sweet?


Presenting...


Black Beauty

Classic books are forever gifts!

EXCLUSIVE: GM Unveils More Aggressive Post-Bailout Commercial

General Motors' most recent television ad, called "re: invention," was criticized by some for taking a timid and defensive approach to luring new customers. In the ad, a narrator states "Let's be completely honest ... General Motors needs to start over to get stronger" and refers to the company's bankruptcy proceedings. It does not, however, refer to the $50 billion in taxpayer money that was used to bail out the company to date.

In response, media insiders say GM is on the verge of releasing a new version of the ad which company officials say "is equally honest," but takes "a more direct, bottom-line approach" to convincing consumers they should buy a GM car.

This publication obtained an advance copy of the new ad, and readers can view it below.

Associated articles: New York Times; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/11/AR2009061104213.html

EXCLUSIVE: GM Unveils More Aggressive Post-Bailout Commercial

General Motors' most recent television ad, called "re: invention," was criticized by some for taking a timid and defensive approach to luring new customers. In the ad, a narrator states "Let's be completely honest ... General Motors needs to start over to get stronger" and refers to the company's bankruptcy proceedings. It does not, however, refer to the $50 billion in taxpayer money that was used to bail out the company to date.

In response, media insiders say GM is on the verge of releasing a new version of the ad which company officials say "is equally honest," but takes "a more direct, bottom-line approach" to convincing consumers they should buy a GM car.

This publication obtained an advance copy of the new ad, and readers can view it below.

Associated articles: New York Times; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/11/AR2009061104213.html

In Televised Debate, Obama Deftly Confronts Straw Men, Explains Phantom Baseline By Which Administration Policies Should Be Judged

Washington, D.C.--President Obama laid down a gauntlet last night, agreeing for the first time to a face-to-face televised debate with the various straw men he says have unfairly criticized his policies.

Following Obama’s explanation that the baseline for expected budget savings should be the costs of war efforts no one suggested funding, he opened yesterday’s debate by explaining how the fairness of his proposals should be measured against a phantom baseline of terrifying government policies no one’s ever proposed.

“Some say I acted unfairly by forcing auto company bondholders to accept equity stakes of just 9% while granting 20% to the unions whose overly generous wage and benefits programs helped drive the companies to bankruptcy,” said Obama. “But I think the American people will understand the choice I made was the only one consitent with our values, considering the alternative was making auto company stakeholders eat syringes.”

In a largely one-sided exchange of ideas, the straw men reiterated their usual arguments, saying “We should just to do nothing,” “We can address these issues with half-steps and piecemeal measures,” and “While our opponent chooses unity and hope, we support road rage and peach phobias."

Obama took the offensive to thunderous applause, stating “I reject the philosophy that says every problem can be solved if only the government flooded houses with molasses.”

Finally, the president offered an emphatic retort to end the debate. “No longer,” he said, “will we accept the notion that hate and fear can fulfill all our nation’s energy needs.”

Associated articles: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/02/republicans-expected-war-savings-obama-budget-suggest-fuzzy-math/; http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=477978; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/04/AR2009020403174.html; http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/us/politics/24straw.html?ref=politics

In Televised Debate, Obama Deftly Confronts Straw Men, Explains Phantom Baseline By Which Administration Policies Should Be Judged

Washington, D.C.--President Obama laid down a gauntlet last night, agreeing for the first time to a face-to-face televised debate with the various straw men he says have unfairly criticized his policies.

Following Obama’s explanation that the baseline for expected budget savings should be the costs of war efforts no one suggested funding, he opened yesterday’s debate by explaining how the fairness of his proposals should be measured against a phantom baseline of terrifying government policies no one’s ever proposed.

“Some say I acted unfairly by forcing auto company bondholders to accept equity stakes of just 9% while granting 20% to the unions whose overly generous wage and benefits programs helped drive the companies to bankruptcy,” said Obama. “But I think the American people will understand the choice I made was the only one consitent with our values, considering the alternative was making auto company stakeholders eat syringes.”

In a largely one-sided exchange of ideas, the straw men reiterated their usual arguments, saying “We should just to do nothing,” “We can address these issues with half-steps and piecemeal measures,” and “While our opponent chooses unity and hope, we support road rage and peach phobias."

Obama took the offensive to thunderous applause, stating “I reject the philosophy that says every problem can be solved if only the government flooded houses with molasses.”

Finally, the president offered an emphatic retort to end the debate. “No longer,” he said, “will we accept the notion that hate and fear can fulfill all our nation’s energy needs.”

Associated articles: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/02/republicans-expected-war-savings-obama-budget-suggest-fuzzy-math/; http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=477978; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/04/AR2009020403174.html; http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/us/politics/24straw.html?ref=politics

After Granting Terrorists Miranda Rights, Obama Authorizes Use of Lawyers to Act as Terrorists’ Human Shields

Afghanistan--After reversing a previous position in which he said terrorists should not be granted Miranda rights, President Obama took what national security experts say was the next logical step in his law enforcement approach to terrorism by authorizing defense lawyers to act as terrorists’ protective human shields.

Addressing reporters at a press conference to announce the new policy, Obama said “Under my Administration, we’ve already taken the step of advising terrorists of their right to remain silent and their right to consult an attorney. Today I build on that policy by announcing terrorists will have additional legal rights in the form of attorney human shields.”

Borrowing former Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein's strategy in which civilians were used to protect military targets from attack, Obama said he was adapting the tactic to “further the bedrock American principle that says everyone deserves a phalanx of lawyers.”

“The laws of war prohibit the targeting of civilians and don't afford captured enemy combatants the right to a lawyer,” said Obama. “If terrorists don’t follow the laws of war, we shouldn’t either. Hence, my policy of lawyers for terrorists.”

Administration officials added that the element of surprise is essential to winning the war on terror, and "the last thing terrorists will expect is that we’d surround them with civilian legal counsel."

When asked whether the new shield policy itself violated the laws of war, Administration officials said it did not, explaining that “technically, lawyers aren’t human.”

Associated article: http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/016/605iidws.asp; associated video: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/06/10/flashback_obama_says_detainees_dont_deserve_miranda_rights.html; http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-fbi28-2009may28,0,694540.story

After Granting Terrorists Miranda Rights, Obama Authorizes Use of Lawyers to Act as Terrorists’ Human Shields

Afghanistan--After reversing a previous position in which he said terrorists should not be granted Miranda rights, President Obama took what national security experts say was the next logical step in his law enforcement approach to terrorism by authorizing defense lawyers to act as terrorists’ protective human shields.

Addressing reporters at a press conference to announce the new policy, Obama said “Under my Administration, we’ve already taken the step of advising terrorists of their right to remain silent and their right to consult an attorney. Today I build on that policy by announcing terrorists will have additional legal rights in the form of attorney human shields.”

Borrowing former Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein's strategy in which civilians were used to protect military targets from attack, Obama said he was adapting the tactic to “further the bedrock American principle that says everyone deserves a phalanx of lawyers.”

“The laws of war prohibit the targeting of civilians and don't afford captured enemy combatants the right to a lawyer,” said Obama. “If terrorists don’t follow the laws of war, we shouldn’t either. Hence, my policy of lawyers for terrorists.”

Administration officials added that the element of surprise is essential to winning the war on terror, and "the last thing terrorists will expect is that we’d surround them with civilian legal counsel."

When asked whether the new shield policy itself violated the laws of war, Administration officials said it did not, explaining that “technically, lawyers aren’t human.”

Associated article: http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/016/605iidws.asp; associated video: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/06/10/flashback_obama_says_detainees_dont_deserve_miranda_rights.html; http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-fbi28-2009may28,0,694540.story

CBS Previews First Episode of “Survivor: Palau;” Show Features Team of Former Detainees Released from Guantanamo Bay

Los Angeles, California.—CBS previewed the latest season of its popular “Survivor” television series to an audience of Los Angeles media critics yesterday.

The network announced that as a result of the Obama administration’s negotiations with the island of Palau – and $200 million in advertising paid for by the federal government -- contestants on “Survivor: Palau” include several former detainees released from Guantanamo Bay. The detainees are members of a Uighur ethnic group affiliated with a designated terrorist organization that seeks to establish a radical Islamic theocracy throughout South and Central Asia.

While some critics complained the contest was shaping up to be “a bit of a mismatch” -- pitting a college cheerleader and a travel agent against religious extremists who received military instruction at an al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist training camp – others praised the series as a “microcosmic experiment in facilitating global harmony.”

In the episode previewed, the former Guantanamo Bay detainees lose a coconut chopping contest, putting them at risk of elimination. “They kept sawing back and forth with the blade,” said one critic. “That seemed to really slow them down.”

The ex-detainees go on to win the next challenge, but are disqualified after hurling at their opponents the same noxious cocktail of feces and bodily fluids they threw at guards during a March, 2003, prison riot.

One critic, excitedly describing the show’s last segment, revealed that the ex-detainees announce their intention to protest the Tribal Council’s democratic procedures by detonating a plastic bottle filled with their own methane gas. Then, in yet another dramatic turn of events, the ex-detainees win immunity after the show’s producers interrogate them in an overly aggressive manner in an attempt to discover the bomb’s location.

“The thing is, though,” said the critic, “they don’t discover the bomb.”

CBS officials had no comment on the content of future episodes.

Associated articles: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/194/story/771303.html; http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/world/10palau.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper; http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/the_uighurs_in_their-print.php; http://articles.latimes.com/2009/apr/24/nation/na-gitmo-release24; http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg92.htm; http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Information_paper:_Uighur_Detainee_Population_at_JTF-GTMO; http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h0PvMT3xGXLwI-2KwkOThMJToprwD99A604O0; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/31/AR2009103102140.html

CBS Previews First Episode of “Survivor: Palau;” Show Features Team of Former Detainees Released from Guantanamo Bay

Los Angeles, California.—CBS previewed the latest season of its popular “Survivor” television series to an audience of Los Angeles media critics yesterday.

The network announced that as a result of the Obama administration’s negotiations with the island of Palau – and $200 million in advertising paid for by the federal government -- contestants on “Survivor: Palau” include several former detainees released from Guantanamo Bay. The detainees are members of a Uighur ethnic group affiliated with a designated terrorist organization that seeks to establish a radical Islamic theocracy throughout South and Central Asia.

While some critics complained the contest was shaping up to be “a bit of a mismatch” -- pitting a college cheerleader and a travel agent against religious extremists who received military instruction at an al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist training camp – others praised the series as a “microcosmic experiment in facilitating global harmony.”

In the episode previewed, the former Guantanamo Bay detainees lose a coconut chopping contest, putting them at risk of elimination. “They kept sawing back and forth with the blade,” said one critic. “That seemed to really slow them down.”

The ex-detainees go on to win the next challenge, but are disqualified after hurling at their opponents the same noxious cocktail of feces and bodily fluids they threw at guards during a March, 2003, prison riot.

One critic, excitedly describing the show’s last segment, revealed that the ex-detainees announce their intention to protest the Tribal Council’s democratic procedures by detonating a plastic bottle filled with their own methane gas. Then, in yet another dramatic turn of events, the ex-detainees win immunity after the show’s producers interrogate them in an overly aggressive manner in an attempt to discover the bomb’s location.

“The thing is, though,” said the critic, “they don’t discover the bomb.”

CBS officials had no comment on the content of future episodes.

Associated articles: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/194/story/771303.html; http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/world/10palau.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper; http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/the_uighurs_in_their-print.php; http://articles.latimes.com/2009/apr/24/nation/na-gitmo-release24; http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg92.htm; http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Information_paper:_Uighur_Detainee_Population_at_JTF-GTMO; http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h0PvMT3xGXLwI-2KwkOThMJToprwD99A604O0; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/31/AR2009103102140.html

Obama Appoints Russian Mystic Rasputin “Psychic Economic Adviser to the Czars”

Washington, D.C.--Earlier this year, the Obama Administration warned that if Congress failed to pass legislation allowing government control over large-scale taxpayer-funded spending projects, the unemployment rate would rise to 8.8% by this month. Congress enacted such legislation, but since then the unemployment rate has risen to 9.4%, indicating the $787 billion stimulus bill was not worth the cost.

Disappointed by his government’s failure to accurately predict the economic results of its own programs, President Obama rejected a return to capitalism and instead announced his appointment of yet another cabinet member.

“Although I’ve created a variety of ‘czars,’ from car czars to corporate payment czars,” Obama told reporters, “they haven’t been able to agree on how best to produce the jobs America needs. I need someone to manage inter-czar disputes, and who better to do that than the mystic Grigori Rasputin, famed psychic counselor to Czar Nicholas II.”

“Mr. Rasputin did an excellent job stemming the uncontrolled bleeding of the hemopheliac son of a Russian monarch,” said Obama, “and I’m confident he can also help stem massive job losses in the U.S. economy.”

While critics say no group of government regulators could ever reproduce the efficient allocation of jobs and resources that result from a free market in which millions of unique individuals engage in mutually beneficial and voluntary transactions, Obama predicted such critics would come around “once they gaze into Rasputin’s freaky deaky, all-seeing eyes.”

Insiders said Rasuptin has already discerned that Obama's policies have "saved" 150,000 jobs that would have otherwise been lost. When asked how the number of jobs "saved" could ever be verified, administration sources said the figure was derived from "macroeconomic estimates provided by the Ouija Board of Economic Statistics."

Associated materials: http://otrans.3cdn.net/45593e8ecbd339d074_l3m6bt1te.pdf; http://michaelscomments.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/stimulus-vs-unemployment-may2.gif; http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124451592762396883.html; http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Obama-repackages-stimulus-apf-15470798.html; http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1466397368167658753&ei=wtYtSuHCM4nKqgKDnbW0Cg&q=%22commanding+heights%22+hayek&hl=en; associated video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJu0DgpiK8c&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpajamasmedia%2Ecom%2Finstapundit%2F&feature=player_embedded

Obama Appoints Russian Mystic Rasputin “Psychic Economic Adviser to the Czars”

Washington, D.C.--Earlier this year, the Obama Administration warned that if Congress failed to pass legislation allowing government control over large-scale taxpayer-funded spending projects, the unemployment rate would rise to 8.8% by this month. Congress enacted such legislation, but since then the unemployment rate has risen to 9.4%, indicating the $787 billion stimulus bill was not worth the cost.

Disappointed by his government’s failure to accurately predict the economic results of its own programs, President Obama rejected a return to capitalism and instead announced his appointment of yet another cabinet member.

“Although I’ve created a variety of ‘czars,’ from car czars to corporate payment czars,” Obama told reporters, “they haven’t been able to agree on how best to produce the jobs America needs. I need someone to manage inter-czar disputes, and who better to do that than the mystic Grigori Rasputin, famed psychic counselor to Czar Nicholas II.”

“Mr. Rasputin did an excellent job stemming the uncontrolled bleeding of the hemopheliac son of a Russian monarch,” said Obama, “and I’m confident he can also help stem massive job losses in the U.S. economy.”

While critics say no group of government regulators could ever reproduce the efficient allocation of jobs and resources that result from a free market in which millions of unique individuals engage in mutually beneficial and voluntary transactions, Obama predicted such critics would come around “once they gaze into Rasputin’s freaky deaky, all-seeing eyes.”

Insiders said Rasuptin has already discerned that Obama's policies have "saved" 150,000 jobs that would have otherwise been lost. When asked how the number of jobs "saved" could ever be verified, administration sources said the figure was derived from "macroeconomic estimates provided by the Ouija Board of Economic Statistics."

Associated materials: http://otrans.3cdn.net/45593e8ecbd339d074_l3m6bt1te.pdf; http://michaelscomments.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/stimulus-vs-unemployment-may2.gif; http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124451592762396883.html; http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Obama-repackages-stimulus-apf-15470798.html; http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1466397368167658753&ei=wtYtSuHCM4nKqgKDnbW0Cg&q=%22commanding+heights%22+hayek&hl=en; associated video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJu0DgpiK8c&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpajamasmedia%2Ecom%2Finstapundit%2F&feature=player_embedded

Treasury Secretary Geithner Takes Comedy Routine on the Road

Peking, China.--Language posed no barrier to the universal humor of government incompetence as Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner started his "World Tour of Comedy" yesterday in China. The tour is intended to assuage foreign governments' fears that their loans to the U.S. won’t be repaid.

Speaking to a capacity crowd at Peking University, Geithner donned his trademark sequin-covered leather jacket and upturned collar and regaled the audience with dozens of “bottom liners.”

“My staff told me our 2009 federal budget deficit was set to reach 13% of our gross domestic product,” he said. “13%! Can you believe it? I told them 13’s unlucky, so let’s make it 14% instead. D'oh!”

The Chinese finance minister was spotted doubled over in laughter as Geithner kept them coming.

“We were spending so much taxpayer money at Treasury we ran out of ways to use it. I started grinding it up and snorting it.”

Halfway through the performance, as the crowd's laughter turned nervous, Geithner tried to offer some reassurance.

“Hey, don’t worry,” he said. “We’re going to cut our deficit by reforming our health care system. Now you might ask how spending trillions for a new entitlement program will reduce concerns about the deficit? Well that’s just the money we’ll be spending on Prozac.”

Sensing the audience had begun to turn hostile, Geithner cut his performance short. As he ran off the stage, he could be heard yelling “Hey, I don’t pay all my taxes either!”

Associated articles: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/5423650/Geithner-insists-Chinese-dollar-assets-are-safe.html; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124398801277079489.html

Treasury Secretary Geithner Takes Comedy Routine on the Road

Peking, China.--Language posed no barrier to the universal humor of government incompetence as Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner started his "World Tour of Comedy" yesterday in China. The tour is intended to assuage foreign governments' fears that their loans to the U.S. won’t be repaid.

Speaking to a capacity crowd at Peking University, Geithner donned his trademark sequin-covered leather jacket and upturned collar and regaled the audience with dozens of “bottom liners.”

“My staff told me our 2009 federal budget deficit was set to reach 13% of our gross domestic product,” he said. “13%! Can you believe it? I told them 13’s unlucky, so let’s make it 14% instead. D'oh!”

The Chinese finance minister was spotted doubled over in laughter as Geithner kept them coming.

“We were spending so much taxpayer money at Treasury we ran out of ways to use it. I started grinding it up and snorting it.”

Halfway through the performance, as the crowd's laughter turned nervous, Geithner tried to offer some reassurance.

“Hey, don’t worry,” he said. “We’re going to cut our deficit by reforming our health care system. Now you might ask how spending trillions for a new entitlement program will reduce concerns about the deficit? Well that’s just the money we’ll be spending on Prozac.”

Sensing the audience had begun to turn hostile, Geithner cut his performance short. As he ran off the stage, he could be heard yelling “Hey, I don’t pay all my taxes either!”

Associated articles: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/5423650/Geithner-insists-Chinese-dollar-assets-are-safe.html; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124398801277079489.html

An Heirloom from Grandma Hardie

I'm not even sure what year it was (80s?), but my grandma made this beautiful afghan for my mother.


The first time I saw it I wished I could either talk my mom into letting me have it or talk Grandma into making one for me.

It was a special gift to my mom, so I figured I wouldn't be able to pry it away from her.

Hmmm...
Grandma had already given me my choice of afghans from her stash--even before my brothers got to choose, so I figured I shouldn't ask her for another. It looked like it took a lot of time and work to make. I didn't want to be so forward.

Years of yearning for that afghan went by, and Grandma passed away.


After a number of years, I thought about that afghan again then realized that Grandma Hardie was the person (along with a little instruction from my other grandmother) who taught me--a southpaw--how to crochet. She hadn't taught me some of THESE stitches, but if I only had the pattern...

After finding it among Grandma's things, Aunt Kay even sent me the well-used pattern that she used.

That was many years ago.

Then I had children.

I know that pattern is around here somewhere...in a very special place. Recently, I was lamenting having to search our backroom (big gasp) to find it.

Then last month while I was in California visiting Mom, I saw the afghan once again. With it on my lap, I searched the Internet for the pattern. To my surprise I found it! The only thing I didn't know was how to do was the afghan stitch. Thanks, YouTube.com.

Now, as our crew has enjoyed some family time watching our Planet Earth and Blue Planet DVD sets that my brother gave the kids for Christmas, I've pulled out the yarn and a hook. You know, multitasking.

My progress: one of five panels.


A yarn guzzler.


It's taken two full large skeins of yarn to make just one panel and this extra little bit on the 2nd panel.

That's over 710 yards of crocheting so far.

It's much quicker and easier than I thought though, and it totally takes the edge off after a long day.

It'll be worth it!

What I received from Grandma wasn't the afghan but the gift of learning how to make it myself. If it wasn't for her, I most likely wouldn't have had any interest in learning how to crochet.


My heirloom from Grandma Hardie.

Feel Loved

Within the Shadows

Birds in Love

Love is a burning thing

Everybody Needs Love

Gift from Heart to Heart

Hotness of Love